ion. They must
have any number of cannon which they have taken from ships they have
captured."

"It would certainly be a desperate enterprise," the first lieutenant
agreed, "and, as you say, too dangerous to be attempted now."

"Gilmore," Forster said, as the midshipmen met at dinner, "you are always
full of ideas; can't you suggest any way by which we might get at them?"

"I am afraid not," Will laughed. "The only possible way that I can see
would be to sail away, get together a number of native craft, and then
make a dash at the place."

"What would be the advantage of native craft over our boats," one of the
others said scoffingly.

"The great advantage would be that, if we had a dozen native craft, the
men would be scattered about their decks instead of being crowded in
boats, and would therefore be able to land with comparatively little
loss."

"Upon my word," one of the seniors said, "I think there is something in
Gilmore's idea. Of course they would have to be very shallow, and one
would have to choose a night when there was just enough breeze to take
them quietly along. At any rate I will run the risk of being snubbed, and
will mention it to one of the lieutenants. 'Pon my word, the more I think
of it the more feasible does it seem."

After dinner was over the midshipman went up to Mr. Peters, who was now
third lieutenant, and saluted.

"What is it?" the lieutenant asked.

"Well, sir, it is an idea of Gilmore's. It may not be worth anything at
all, but it certainly seemed to me that there was something in it."

"His ideas are generally worth something. What is it?"

The midshipman explained Will's plan.

"There is certainly something in it," Peters said. "What a beggar that boy
is for ideas! At any rate, I will mention it to Mr. Farrance."

Mr. Farrance at first pooh-poohed the idea, but, on thinking it over, he
concluded that it would be as well at any rate to lay it before the
captain.

"'Pon my word it does seem feasible," the captain said. "They could tow
the boats in after them, so that, when they came under the pirates' fire,
the men could get into the boats and so be in shelter. Only one hand would
be required to steer each vessel, and the rest would remain out of sight
of the enemy until near enough to make a dash either for the shore or the
pirates' craft, as the case might be. It is a good idea, a really
brilliant idea, and well worth putting into effect. Besides, each of the
vessels